Naturalists and twitchers are standing down today, following confirmation the Isle of Man hasn't acquired a unique colony of squirrels, grey or otherwise.

There had been speculation in certain quarters, after squirrel cage traps were seen for sale at a well known DIY superstore on the outskirts of Douglas.

As squirrels have never been known on the Island, the appearance of the traps in the store set the hares running for some of those who saw them.

However, there is no secret squirrel colony.

A spokesman for the store said while the product was promoted as being specifically for squirrels, it could also be used as a humane trap for catching other small rodents.

(Image: A grey squirrel, not photographed in the Isle of Man).